A Forgotten Kitten (Sea-anan Saga Book 2) (39 page)

Daehog’s smile broadened. “I did. And she was
perfectly tight.”

With heaving breaths, Sev’s stare fixed on the one being who had dared to take his soulmate from him. His body trembled with building energy. His already-rapid heartbeat picked up speed. The fragile control he had on his sanity shattered. His rage was unleashed.

Sev’s eyes ignited into a fiery copper. “I am going to kill you.”

The annoying smile on Daehog’s face disappeared at the calm in Sev’s voice. “You think so?”

Sev walked toward him. With a voice devoid of all emotion, he ordered, “Put her down.” His right hand tightened around the hilt of his glowing sword. “Face your destiny.”

Sobering, Daehog did just that.

Sev stalked his prey. “Step away from her.”

Daehog took several steps backward. Sev stopped beside Areo and glanced down at her. The deadly expression in his eyes changed to one full of devotion. He saw the blood that trickled down the side of her mouth, the many bruises on her lovely face. He took a deep breath of Areo’s scent and drew strength from it.

His fierce expression returned as he refocused on his worst foe. “You will regret hearing her name.”

The horned devil laughed. “It’s only fair of me to give you one last chance to join my cause. I can make you rich and powerful beyond your wildest dreams.”

Sev got into a ready stance.

Daehog tilted his head to one side. “Very well, then. I must warn you, I intend to kill you. And this time, I will make certain you stay dead.”

“Fine by me, since it will be the only way you will ever touch her again. Over my
dead
body.”

The Mormoc raised his fists. “It shall be.”

Sev vaulted into the air and attacked.

Areo awoke to the sound of metal clashing. She flipped to her side and looked around. There they were. Sev with the Sword of Power, using his wristguards as shields. Daehog with his steel bracelets, using his long claws as sharp blades. Areo could not believe her husband was still alive. A spark of hope flared up in her terrified heart, for Sev was actually holding his own.

The battle raged on. It was evident that Sev was losing strength. The demon from hell kicked the Sword of Power from Sev’s hand, sending it sliding across the room. That spark of hope was doused. Daehog was proving too powerful for anyone to overcome, even a Seacat.

Daehog made contact with a powerful spinning back kick. Areo saw her life flash before her eyes as her mate sailed through the air, crashed against the wall, and landed with a solid thud on the ground, where he moved no more.

Areo did not scream. Her throat had closed. Daehog headed for Sev’s unmoving form. Her mind went rabid. She had to save Sev, but how? Her wrists were chained, which left her as weak as a newborn kitten. Areo’s sights landed on the Sword of Power. She saw Daehog lifting an unconscious Sev off the floor by his neck. She made a mad dash for the sword.

Areo wrapped her fingers around the sword’s golden hilt. A terrifying, gigantic bolt of electricity sizzled through her core, and
she cried out in pain. The world around her spun rapidly. A dark blanket covered her. Areo teetered and fell, dropping the sword.

Several minutes later, Areo awoke with a start. She forced her eyes to open and lifted her head to search the room. Sev had awakened and was fighting Daehog with renewed fervor. He looked rejuvenated and appeared stronger and faster than before.

Areo did not understand. What had happened? She took her eyes off the fight and got up onto her knees. She tentatively reached for her uncle’s sword beside her. Areo lifted the Sword of Power close to her eyes to examine it. She frowned. It looked the same as before, but this time there was no energy blast when she held it. What did it mean?

Sev anxiously called her name. Before she could look up, Daehog had yanked her to her feet by her arm, snatched the sword from her hands, and placed it at her throat.

Halting a few feet in front of her, Sev viciously snarled at the giant monster. His eyes shone brighter than the sun. “Coward! How dare you claim to be the strongest being alive and use a small female as a shield!” He held out his arms. “I’m unarmed! Face me like a real male! Winner takes all!”

The Dominion leader yanked Areo harder against his waist. “Come closer and I will cut her head off!”

“You’re unworthy of being a ruler. You are nothing but a coward, a gutless, craven who brainwashes others to do his bidding. But no more.”

Sev’s words were a signal, which Areo understood. She waited for her moment to strike.

“Your time of carnage has come to an end, Daehog. Once and for all, one way or another, it ends here. And it ends
now!”

Areo’s eyes immediately lit up. With her newfound energy, she broke free from Daehog’s hold and made a fast grab for his sword arm. Swiftly twisting it in an awkward angle and adding pressure, she snatched the sword from his grasp. Sev quickly moved in with a powerful sidekick to Daehog’s midsection. Daehog doubled over. Grabbing his stomach, he gasped for air. Areo lifted the sword above her head and jumped into the air. She brought the steel
blade down like a guillotine, cleanly slicing through Daehog’s thick neck. His horned head tumbled along the dirt floor.

Areo saw Sev approaching Daehog’s head. He watched it mouth something that would never be heard. Areo closed her eyes and lowered her head in relief.

Sev‘s glowing gaze found his love. He stopped in front of her, took the sword from her hands, and sheathed it. He then clasped her shoulders and brought her close to his chest.

Areo snatched fistfuls of his torn, bloody shirt and said, “You came for me.”

“I would die for you,” he uttered before ravaging her lips.

Areo surrendered to him. It was mind-boggling how Sev had searched the heavens and found her. Their lips parted.

Sev gazed into eyes that shone with uncontained affection. The bruises on Areo’s face made his insides painfully spasm. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Please. I’ll do all that I can to make it up to you, I swear it. I’ll do anything you want. All you have to do is ask and it shall be.”

Areo sniffed. “What are you talking about?”

“That I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

“Making what up to me?”

Sev looked at her form. Tears filled his eyes. “My failure.”

“Your failure?”

“I swear on my life, I will never fail you again.” A tear fell.

Areo wiped his tear away. “But…you didn’t fail me.”

Framing her face, Sev caressed her bruised features with his eyes. “I have.”

“No, you didn’t.”

Sev stared at her. “I…I was too late to save you from his touch.”

“His…” Areo’s brows met. “What did he say to you?”

It was Sev’s turn to be confused. His eyes narrowed. “He said he took you.”

Areo rubbed her nose against his cheek. “Oh, my love. That bastard did touch me with his hands, but he never got the chance to enter me. Thanks to you.”

Sev’s grip tightened. “You mean…”

“I mean…” Areo looked him squarely in the eyes. “He never got to finish what he wanted. He never made penetration with either his hands or his body. You saved me from being raped. Again.”

An enormous guilt lifted from Sev’s shoulders. He pulled Areo closer and feverishly kissed her entire face.

“Can we go home now?”

Sev’s soul flooded over with love at seeing Areo’s pout. “Of course. But first, let me see what I can do about these chains.”

He unsheathed the Sword of Power. He lifted Areo’s chains directly in front of him and used the sword to blast them open without hurting her.

“There we go.” He sheathed the sword. “Is that better?” He held Areo’s chaffed, bleeding wrists in his hands. Even her fingers were swollen. His anger rose.

“I’m all right. My wrists are the least of my concerns.” She pressed her curves into him. “And now that you’re here, I’m just purrrfect.”

A happy gleam replaced the anger in his eyes. “

Oh, Sev.” Areo wrapped her arms around his neck. “I was so afraid.”

“There, there, my love, it’s over now. The monster is dead. He will no longer hurt the innocent.” Sev buried his face in her hair. “He will never touch you again.”

He gently nudged her away from him so he could release the two remaining buttons on his black shirt. Sev helped Areo put it on over her revealing gown. Lifting her into his arms, he headed for the entrance.

“As soon as we enter our room, I am burning that dress.”

Areo wrapped her arms around his neck and smirked. “I thought you would like it.”

“You thought wrong,” he replied seriously.

Mike was leaning against the wall and Miko stood under the archway.

“Is she all right?” asked Mike anxiously, straightening.

“She’s fine. How bad are the two of you?”

Areo spotted all the blood over both Mike’s shirt and robe. {Mike! You’re hurt!}

“It smarts, but I’ll live.” {Don’t worry. It’s not my blood.}

{But you just said—}

{Sev doesn’t need to know…yet.}

Both Areo and Sev saw Miko rolling his eyes at Mike’s reply.

“Along with my arm, I have some broken ribs. But I, too, will live.” Miko again rolled his eyes at the half-blood.

Areo shook her head as Mike smiled back at Miko.

“I’m relieved to hear it,” said Sev. “I want to thank the two of you for helping me, especially you, Miko. I couldn’t have saved her if it weren’t for your assistance. I owe you, old friend.”

“No, Sire, it was I who owed you. I am only happy to have been able to repay you for your kindness in allowing me another chance to swear my loyalty to you.” Miko bowed his head to Areo. “And to you, Your Highness.”

Areo’s brows shot upward. “Huh?” She immediately looked at her cousin and noticed his smirk. {What did you do?}

{I didn’t. Someone else did.}

Sev smiled at her. “There is much you don’t know.” He kissed her head. “I’ll be more than happy to bring you up to speed,
after
we have a long talk about you running off without telling me. But right now, we have a war to win.” He started walking.

Mike blocked his way. “Just a second, Sev.” He swiftly removed his robe and covered his cousin. “I’m sorry it’s dirty, but at least it’ll cover you.”

“Thank you,” Areo and Sev said together.

The group left the remains of the former Dominion leader to the hungry cat-size rats. No one noticed the glowing green eyes in the pitch-black corridor adjacent to the doorway they departed from, so focused were they on Daehog’s demise. Those eyes had silently watched on since their arrival. They did not disappear until several seconds after the Seacats departed.

Monday, the 29th of May

The Barge

Bridge

After destroying Daehog, Sev had ordered Hank McCall to break into Daehog’s computers. Hank had eagerly complied. Entry was a cinch. He found nothing of interest except the access codes to Daehog’s gateways. They now understood how the Dominion was able to spread so far and quickly while only flying on warp speed ten. Hank then installed one of Bob’s viruses to destroy all the files.

The Barge
was now in route for Oceanica. Music, laughter, and the aromas of delicious foods were heard and smelled in every corner of the ship.

Areo sat in front of the large monitor. Her thoughts were in a jumble. So many things confused her. She understood there was cause for celebration, but she could not bring herself to do so with the others. She wondered if anyone on board felt as she did.

No one seemed to care that the battle was not over. Yes, the nine sea bases were still standing, and they had regained possession of both Laaren and Aaren, but Earth and her inhabitants were still under Dominion rule. Plus, they had received disturbing news that the Dominion was wreaking havoc near Oceanica. As if that was not enough, Areo still had to face the citizens of Oceana, who had finally arrived on their new homeworld.

No,
Areo thought, rubbing her face.
The war is not over.
She fingered the Bracelets of Foresight.
It sure feels great to have you back on. I felt so naked and helpless without you. From now on, you are staying in my room and not in the weapons chamber.

“Are you all right?” Sev walked up behind her and placed a strong, bandaged hand on the back of her neck.

Areo sighed. She had detected his scent when he entered the bridge. “Somewhat. I just wish this war was over with. Then I could relax and enjoy my life with you. But as it is”—she carefully embraced his bruised body—“I’m so afraid of losing you in this blast-it battle.
Not to mention concerned about how the Oceanans are going to react when we arrive with the disturbing news of our marriage.”

Sev hugged her tightly and smiled. “I don’t care what they do. I’m just happy that you’ve stopped fighting me on the issue. No matter what comes about, you and I will be as one forever.” He lowered his face and circled her nose with his. “Remember that, my kitten.”